Not impressed with the Deals

[mwalleye]

Went to the St. Paul ice Show on friday maybe to soon to get any good or outstanding deals but I traveled 270 miles for maybe some deals and 10% off did not even cover admin. or parking not to mention gas to get there. I still bought a couple things though and would probly go again. I checked my local stores when I got back and they can beat any deal that I was looking for and that is there reg. price not a sale price good thing i waited to shop local.

[Lawrence Luoma]

I picked up Kahtoola Micro Spikes for $35. Pretty good deal. The thing about the show is the shops will compete for the best price. Don't go by the sticker and sign price. Just got to play the game. I believe there is another thread already of some great deals people got.

[randerson]

From what I could see you had to ask for a deal on and big ticket item they didn't have pricing on alot of the locators and house due to other competitors just under cutting each other. There was some good deals to be had if one needed a Locator,Ice House,Auger,etc

[mwalleye]

I went to all the stores that had to products that I wanted and they all gave the same deal price and I mentioned the other prices and played the game and would not budge. Got home and called my local store and they beat the deal prices and that was not even a sale price. just sayin the deals were not worth it but the show was great though.

[CaptainMusky]

I got a screamin deal on a striker ice climate suit. No one else would touch the price. It also included a free pair of gloves (or mitts) which are very nice.

[bobbymalone]

I think the average show-goer isn't gonna break even on tickets, parking, and travel with whatever they might save on something they buy.

Every year one of these threads pops up and from the posts it sure seems like you need to spend $$$ to get "good" deal.

I'm just glad clam sprung on bait pucks that cost a nickel but retail for 4 bucks to give everybody. That's about the best deal I got at the show

[RIPN LIPS]

I found most of the vendors didn't even have any promotional stuff ie(freebies) either. Booth 151 even had a link to ad for free stuff and we stopped and they had nothing. The guy I talked to said they gave everything away friday. I would say this show did not impress me at all and we go every year. my 2 cents

[gurkster]

Yeah - I haven't been in a few years, not a real good place for deals unless maybe you are spending big money.

[Vlasin]

If you're looking for the high buck stuff you can save ton...Even saw some smoking deals on the low cost items. Can't be afriad to ask for another 10-30% off the marked price and then tell them you have cash...and ask for more off. The worst they can say is no.

Deals come to those that work for them! Vendors will rarely/if ever just offer you the best/lowest price. I personally have saved 100's over the last couple years, waiting to buy the 'big ticket' stuff at the show - Both Ice and open water.

[amateurfishing]

IMO....went for first (& possibly last time with my son) last year

LOTS of ppl, ridiulous lines, can barely walk down large isles, very difficult & boring for my son (who LOVES fishing), not kid friendly unless u can find some specific kid friendly booths

they run out of everything way too fast, i did get free iceline with purchase of lures (which i got 50% off @ thorne bros) and a deal on strikemaster suit

....but really only worthwhile if you are buying big ticket items i think. the one nice suprise i had was stopping at HB booth and learned new tricks with my just purchased 597 ci HD.

i really felt that at the "stores" if u did not have cash and were not ready to buy they pretty much ignored you...and regarding ppl finding deals and talking for deals, if that is what is expected at this event, then it should be somewhat advertised i think if u r not in the "know" it kinda sucks. also walking between vendors hagling over prices aint my cup of tea with that many ppl in line. 10% off sales dont cut it for me. i do hope to make it back sometime when im more prepared, learned more, and hope to buy lots but also i prefer most of my big ticket items used and 50% off retail for something that may only use 3 months/year

[highlife4me]

I went there just to look, maybe by a big buddy heater. I didn't buy much but got a lot of free stuff. Enjoyed sitting in on a few seminars and looking at all the new houses. Ended up picking up a heater on the way home cheaper than at the show.

[AndRo]

There is definitely money to be saved if you are going after the big ticket item. I could see it being very difficult to save enough to pay for parking, tickets, etc... if you are just buying jigs and whatnot. I went on Friday this year... I'm sure better deals could have been had Sunday but to give you an idea what can be saved:

Otter Pro XTREME THERMAL Cabin-Blue Ice Camo Package:

Retail 799.99+tax I payed 750.00 cash Out the door with the following accessories included..

Travel Cover:

Retail 59.99+tax I payed 0.00

Tow Hitch:

Retail 59.99+tax I payed 0.00

Hyfax:

Retail 39.99+tax I payed 0.00

Aqua Vu Micro Plus:

Retail 399.99+tax I payed 325.00+tax on the card

So without going though and calculating tax or anything that is about 285 bucks in savings on day 1 of the show... I think that is pretty darn good. Over 20% Plus I got the 79.99 value Ice Force Rapala Gift Bag free and a free Frabill Jig Box.

[Vitreus]

I wasn't too impressed with the deals either. I really had to play hardball to get anything past 10%. I literally walked back and forth between a few bigger stores for about 45 min, trying to get them to beat each other's prices before I could feel somewhat comfortable with my purchase. I will probably catch dump for this, but I stopped by the HSO booth as well, and it didn't seem like anyone really wanted to talk. I actually got a less than friendly vibe from a lot of places. I guess the vendors recognize a couple broke college kids right away. The highlight of the show was Mr. Genz. He took a few minutes to talk with my roommate and me. Gave us some spots in the area since he lives close by. Needless to say, those spots are marked on my GPS. When Genz tells you to try a spot, you fish there!

[gixxer01]

Like others have said...you gotta play the game. Bought a Humminbird ice kit and they basically threw in the ice ducer for free. Saved $70 or 30% off of retail price. Happy with the deal, but I think I could've done better!

[MNCPRGUY]

I stopped by the HSO booth as well, and it didn't seem like anyone really wanted to talk.

It's too bad you had that experience. I suspect their lack of interaction with you was more a result of all the distractions around them.

There was nobody else at the booth when I stopped but Rick acted like he had known me forever and the guys were very much interested in visiting with me. I think I enjoyed the time on that floor with the seminars, the historical display and meeting the HSO guys more than I did fighting the crowds in the main vendor area.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I worked both saturday and sunday for Aqua-Vu, while worked a couple of different booths, I spent a majority of my time at the Marine General booth. I also spent a little time in the Reeds Booth, As well as the Thorne Bro's Booth and Joes.. The statement that there were not deals to be had is CRAZY!.. CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!! If you went there to buy small items, then yes, you probably did not save a lot.. If you went there to buy a fish house, auger, underwater camera... ECT, lager items. then you more than saved enough to cover your costs to get in the door.

As for the statement about the HSO booth.. Im sure a lot of it depends on when you catch a guy... I can not speak for anyone else, and regrettably I did not have time to work the HSO booth as I had prior commitments. But its a long day, you see thousands of people and you just dont know how the last person treated someone. All I ask is you cut a guy some slack. Im sure the same could be said about me... Though I try and be chipper and answer/talk to anyone I come in contact with. But you never know what just happened 10 seconds ago.. some guy could have just ripped you a clean one for something you had nothing to do with.. Or, maybe just plain tired..

But back to the deals.. I watched a dude walk away with an otter house from Thornes who was MORE than happy with what they saved. I sold many Micro Aqua Vu DVR and i can say that people saved a lot! I watched many marcum/vexlar/humm flashers go way below what retail was.. Deals were there!

[hunt fish repeat]

Is the show about deals? I doubt it, but they can sometimes be searched for and found. Is it about saving money?: (two people) $10 gas, $10 parking, $18 admision, 2 beers each $24, clearly not, that would buy a lot of jigs. It's obviously not about the money, it's about the FEVER, 20 thousand people who are itching to get on the ice, and can't(yet). Like sugar to a 4 year old or crack to an addict people walk the aisles like zombies, bumping into, talking to, and dreaming with the other addicts, dreaming of the hardwater season just around the corner. Even if you don't buy at the show, chances are you'll shop afterwards, and now you know which vendors to go to.

Scott

[IceHawk]

Exactly! well said thellcon I really think this is why alot of us go.

[bobbymalone]

Like sugar to a 4 year old or crack to an addict people walk the aisles like zombies, bumping into, talking to, and dreaming with the other addicts, dreaming of the hardwater season just around the corner.

Yeah it gets everybody in the mood to set up right next to somebody else and be loud and obnoxious

[skee0025]

Yeah it gets everybody in the mood to set up right next to somebody else and be loud and obnoxious

Thats why I walk out, by the time I lug the house and gear halfway to where everyone is at I'm normally to tired to keep going.

[Feathers Rainin]

It's obviously not about the money, it's about the FEVER, 20 thousand people who are itching to get on the ice, and can't(yet).

We've been on ice up north for two weekends. There is ice fishing to be had if you can travel.

I went to the show once. Quite the donkey parade down there. The only value I see is if you want to compare gear that you can't find in a local store, for example permanent houses. If you just need bibs, flasher, portable etc. you are probably better off going to a local store or buying online. Just my 2 cents.

[Fishin4fun_MN]

I went thinking I could find some deals. $20 off a custom rod, not bad, $5 off a prefab rod not good. got my freebies and left. Agree with no one really wishing to chat at the HSO booth.

[Vitreus]

You raise a good point Deitz. I was trying not to be overly critical. I work with crabby, sick people all day in a clinic pharmacy, and I know how one bad seed can ruin the whole mood, however, people are going to assess you based on interaction with them, despite how limited it may be. For this reason I make it a point to give my full, unbiased attention to everyone I see.

[Brad B]

I stopped by the HSO booth as well, and it didn't seem like anyone really wanted to talk. I actually got a less than friendly vibe from a lot of places.

Sorry you felt that way. please clarify as to what day you were there. If it was on Saturday there was alot of staff there and they would of talked to you had you come up and said I'm djfeif from the site. if it was sunday there was less of us there and a few of us were out walking the floor at times so we might not have been in the booth when you were there. also remember by sunday afternoon a lot of us were tired from being at the show for 2 or 3 days straight. my advice would be to come up to the booth next time and introduce your self and start a conversation that way.

[otterman91105]

I went on saturday and was not real impressed. But i wasn't looking for big ticket items either. I thought at the blaine show they were more willing to move on there price's.